ANGRY SCENE IN HOUSE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 12

ANGRY SCENE IN HOUSE

Mr Nash Objects To Long Debate

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) this afternoon accused the Government of a “breach of faith” for allowing the Address-in-Reply debate to continue beyond last night.

Mr Nash made this remark in the House of Representatives just after the debate had ended and Miss M. B. Howard (Opposition, Sydenham) was about to move the second reading of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill. Miss Howard said she had received hundreds of messages from people interested in the bill and complained that she had to speak on it at such an unfavourable hour—4.ss p.m.

Mr Nash then accused the Government of a breach of faith because it had gone back on an understanding between the Senior Whips of both parties that the debate was to end last night. Amid angry shouting and interjections, Mr Nash withdrew the breach of faith accusation on the order of the Speaker (Sir Matthew Oram) who said it was unparliamentary.

Mr J. B. F. Cotterill.vthe Senior Opposition Whip, said there had been an understanding between him and the Senior Government Whip (Mr E. P. Aderman) that the debate would end last night. Whip’s Objection

If the Government had decided on a change in plans, it would have been the “decent thing” for the Senior Government Whip to have informed him. “I do not think matters like this are to the benefit of the conduct of the House,” said Mr Cotterill. Mr Aderman denied that there had been an understanding that the debate should end last night. There were many Opposition interruptions while Mr Aderman was speaking and the Speaker had to call the House to order.

The Deputy Prime M- ister (Mr K. J. Holyoake) in an attempt to quieten matters, said that he had confidence in all four Whips and suggested the present dispute be allowed to rest. He said he was anxious that Miss Howard should have the best opportunity to speak and suggested that the tea adjournment be taken 15 minutes early so that Miss Howard could make an uninterrupted speech later. The House agreed and members went for tea at 5.15 p.m. instead of 5.30 p.m.

ADDRESS IN REPLY

House Concludes Debate

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4.

The Opposition’s amendment of no-confidence in the Government was lost by 33 votes to 42 in the concluding stages of the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives this afternoon. It was the first division of the session. The debate had lasted three weeks.

The mover of the motion that a respectful address be presented in reply to the Speech from the Throne, Mr D. C. Seath (Government, Waitomo), then replied to the debate, and the motion was carried on the voices.

The final stages of the debate were marked by considerable noise and interjections. Later it became apparent that the Opposition understood there was an agreement between the two parties that the debate should have been finished last night. There were only three speakers in the debate this afternoon, all from the Government side. The Senior Government Whip, Mr E. P. Aderman (New Plymouth), who spoke for the minute or two of his time remaining, was subjected to an interjection or two. The next speaker, Mr B. V. Cooksley (Masterton) who told the House of his recent visit to the United. States, also received his share. Mr Seath soon caused a number of interjections when, he criticised Opposition policy, ' and Mr Speaker called the House to order on several occasions. He also ruled on several points of order raised by members.